Sales tax officer slashes wife’s hand after dispute

A deputy commissioner of sales tax allegedly slashed his wife’s left arm while trying to stab her in the stomach following a heated argument between the couple at their Borivli residence on Thursday night. He reportedly also tried to hit her with a hammer. The accused has been identified as Deepak Sankhe, 55, posted at Nalasopara.

According to the police, the victim Shobha, 43, alleged that Deepak is an alcoholic and the family was fed-up with his habit of drinking. “On Thursday too Deepak reached their residence at Jayesh Cooperative Housing Society in Borivli (west) after consuming alcohol and started abusing his wife,” said police inspector Ravi Adhane from the Borivali police station.

The couple had a love marriage. This is the second wedding for both Shobha and Deepak. Deepak has two sons from his first marriage and Shobha has a daughter. Shobha’s daughter was also in the house when the incident took place. Shobha works in the finance department at Mantralaya.

Shobha was watching TV when an argument ensued between the couple. In a fit of rage, Deepak went into the kitchen and came out with a knife in order to attack Shobha, but she pushed him away. However, he slashed her hand during the scuffle. “The accused then got a hammer to hit her but she started shouting, after which her daughter came to her rescue, along with a few neighbours,” added Adhane.

Neighbours rushed Shobha to hospital and informed the police control room. Shobha was admitted to the Bhagwati Hopsital and was discharged after getting the required treatment.

Deepak is at large after the incident and police have booked him under sections 326 (causing grievous hurt), 504 (insult and abuse) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. The police suspect Deepak is hiding in his office.